Hot Topics:

Leeanna Rossi: All-female academy takes new approach

Deming Headlight

Posted:
06/24/2014 09:56:09 PM MDT

Rossi

In this day and age of coed this and coed that, it's amazing that Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va., still hosts the nation's only all-female corps of cadets, known as the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership (VWIL).

This program began in 1995 with the goal of grooming young women for military command. As with any service academy or military institute, VWIL cadets parade in full dress uniforms, attend academic courses at the Institute and participate in coed classes through the ROTC program at Virginia Military Institute. VWIL is presently run by retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Terry Djuric, who holds the position of commandant. Retired Army Col. Melissa Patrick is their deputy commandant. VWIL's primary focus is on leadership and emphasizes developing the art of inspiration, rather than the old method of bossing. New cadets often enter the Institute with the impression that to motivate others, you need to scream and yell. But at the Institute, they take a completely different approach, they emphasize respect as a management of people over threats and intimidation.

One VWIL graduate, Mei-Ling Fye Guarino, presently serving as a captain in the Army Logistics Corps, believes that today's military requires different handling. "We give an order, but we have to give them the purpose, the direction, the 'why.'" Guarino says. "As a leader, you are serving those you lead, not the other way around."

Another graduate of VWIL, Army Maj. Rachel O'Connell, a military intelligence officer, says the military has changed quite a bit since she joined in 2002. "Where things used to be extremely 'in your face' and there was a 'beat you down and build you back up' mentality, it's changed to more of 'building you from where you are.' and I think VWIL has done that very well, how to do that with people as they prepare for their military career or for civilian life — helping build you to what you need to be successful in the future."

Advertisement

In addition to VWIL being the only all-female military institute and promoting a newer, more progressive approach to managing others, the Institute also stands apart from other military programs because it is truly a cadet-run operation. There are only four staff members supervising the program. Cadets are responsible for the disciplinary system, holding room and uniform inspections, leading physical training and making their own training schedules.

VWIL is not for everyone. It is structured to provide cadets with strong leadership skills and a high quality education. Graduates leave with a sense of honor and integrity and the confidence to reach for a goal and achieve it.